On TV and in the movies, you can see heroes dressed up in capes and costumes with incredible power. But one thing we have learned living in the real world is that heroes can come in all shapes, sizes and even ages.
Students and community members gathered Wednesday to celebrate one of those real-life heroes: kindergartener Virtuous Rose Bennett. She was honored by the city of Ripley, Ohio for calling 911 to save her grandmother’s life.
Howard McClain, a lieutenant with the Ripley Life Squad, told the students about the incident, “Two weeks ago, one of you became a leader and a hero.”
McClain said that a true hero is someone who steps out of their comfort zone and does something truly amazing.
“About two weeks ago, Rose knew that her grandmother was very, very ill,” McClain said. “She knew that her grandmother was not acting the way she normally would, so Rose picked up the telephone and called 911.”
According to The Ledger-Independent, Rose’s grandmother was suffering from a stroke.
Many times during a stroke, a person can’t really tell you what’s going on while it’s happening, but Rose knew something wasn’t right.
During the whole ordeal, Rose remained calm while talking to the 911 dispatchers who activated the life squad, according to McClain.
“Rose remained calm. She told us that something was not right and her grandmother was ill, so she called 911.” McClain said. “This is a hero. She did something that stepped out of her comfort zone. She remained calm, courageous and she helped her grandmother.”
EMS presented Bennett with a certificate that read “911 Hero Award, presented to Virtuous Rose Bennett showing bravery and saving a life. You are amazing, you are strong, you are smart and most of all, you are a hero.”
Life squad members also presented Bennett with a shirt that said “Future Cadet of the Ripley EMS.”
“I’m very proud of her. It takes my heart, I’m kind of in tears,” her Grandma Beverly Lipps said, “It still brings me to tears to think that she saved my life. I’m very proud of her and it means a lot to me. I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for that little girl.”
Bennett met the members of Brown County Air-Evac and Ripley Life Squad who helped save Lipps’ life. Lipps was flown…
… to the University of Cincinnati where she received medical treatment.
“Without Rose we wouldn’t have been able to play a part,” said Program Director Jonathan McKinnish of Air-Evac 89 Brown County. “The chain of survival and all of the steps that took place to get Rose’s grandmother to where she was able to walk in today started with this 9-1-1 call.”
Emergency medical service men and women recommend that a child even as young as five know vital information in case of emergency:
– Father and mothers full name
– Full street address
– Parent/guardian phone number
– How to dial 911/311
– Emergency escape route in case of fire/natural disaster
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